10 Days - Grand Tour of Switzerland
From Zürich to Zürich
Itinerary & Map
Inside visits and special features are shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description.
DAY 1: ARRIVE IN ZURICH, SWITZERLAND.
Check into your hotel in Zurich and start exploring with the assistance of your CosmosGO app. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers.
Dinner Dinner
DAY 2: ZURICH–APPENZELL–LIECHTENSTEIN–ST. MORITZ.
A sensational drive today takes you through some of Switzerland’s most renowned cantons. Stop in Appenzell to see the Old Town with its 16th-century Town Hall. Continue to the minute Principality of Liechtenstein for a visit of its tiny capital, Vaduz. Pass through scenic “Heidiland” and into the Rhine Valley before ascending mighty Julier Pass. Soon, you’ll be in the heart of Switzerland’s largest canton, the Grisons, where you’ll marvel at some of the world’s best alpine views. Spend the next two nights in glamorous St. Moritz, host of two Winter Olympic Games (1928 and 1948) and the premier winter retreat of European royalty, celebrities, and the international jet set for more than a century.
Today’s Distance: 177 mi/ 285 km
Breakfast Breakfast Dinner Dinner
DAY 3: AT LEISURE IN ST. MORITZ.
Enjoy a whole day to explore this scenic Engadine valley resort. Renowned for its stunning forest, lake, and mountain setting and an average of 322 days of sunshine per year, St. Moritz is comprised of two villages separated by a mile of lake shore—St. Moritz Dorf and St. Moritz Bad. Extending up the slope from the lake, terraced Dorf is a tapestry of grand hotels, upscale boutiques, and traditional Engadine architecture, characterized by arched wooden doors, small deep-set windows, and artistically etched facades. Neighboring Bad is known for its ice rink, mineral and mud baths, and energetic nightlife.
Breakfast Breakfast
DAY 4: ST. MORITZ–BERNINA EXPRESS TRAIN TO TIRANO, ITALY–LUGANO, SWITZERLAND.
One of Europe’s most spectacular train rides, the BERNINA EXPRESS begins today in St. Moritz, whisking you across lofty Bernina Pass via the Swiss Poschiavo area to Tirano in the Italian Valtellina. Here, rejoin your coach and journey to the shores of sparkling Lake Lugano.
Today’s Distance: 134 mi/ 215 km
Breakfast Breakfast
DAY 5: LUGANO–LAKE MAGGIORE, ITALY–TÄSCH, SWITZERLAND–ZERMATT.
Discover the highlights of charming, subtropical Lugano before traveling to Lake Maggiore, Italy’s second-largest lake. Consider joining the optional boat trip to visit to the garden island of Isola Bella with its splendid 17th-century palazzo (palace). Return to Switzerland via picturesque Simplon Pass and hop aboard a train in Täsch for the only connection to car-free Zermatt, a resort surrounded by Switzerland’s highest mountains—including the celebrated Matterhorn.
Today’s Distance: 155 mi/ 250 km
Breakfast Breakfast Dinner Dinner
DAY 6: ZERMATT–LAUSANNE AREA.
Time to stroll through town and maybe take a break to sample the local fare, like raclette, fondue, or hand-made chocolate. Perhaps shop for an authentic Swiss watch or Swiss Army knife. Then, take the train back to Täsch, where you will rejoin the coach and continue your journey through the vineyards and apricot groves of the lower Rhône Valley to crescent-shaped Lake Geneva, one of Europe’s largest lakes.
Today’s Distance: 112 mi/ 180 km
Breakfast Breakfast Dinner Dinner
DAY 7: LAUSANNE AREA.
Spend either a whole day at leisure exploring Lausanne and its environs, or join an optional excursion to charming Geneva with its cobblestoned Old Town and the Palais des Nations, European headquarters of the United Nations.
Breakfast Breakfast
DAY 8: LAUSANNE AREA–GRUYÈRES–BERNE–INTERLAKEN–LUCERNE AREA.
The first stop today is in picturesque Gruyères to visit a local CHEESE FACTORY. Then, on to Berne, Switzerland’s charming 12th-century capital. The Old Town is a showcase of medieval architecture, arcaded shops, artistic fountains, and the landmark Zytglogge (clock tower), an ornate animated astronomical clock built in 1530. Travel on, skirting the shores of Lake Thun, and stop in the renowned resort of Interlaken for a visit before crossing Brünig Pass to Lucerne. Tonight, why not join an optional folklore evening, complete with yodeling and alphorn blowing?
Today’s Distance: 155 mi/ 250 km
Breakfast Breakfast
DAY 9: LUCERNE AREA–ZURICH.
Discover the wonders of Lucerne, a city straight out of a storybook. Situated on Lake Lucerne beneath the snowcapped Alps, Lucerne highlights include cobblestone streets lined with frescoed homes, the world-famous CHAPEL BRIDGE, and the poignant LION MONUMENT. Perhaps choose from a wonderful selection of optional activities—the most popular is an excursion to mount Stanserhorn. Return to Zurich for an overnight.
Today’s Distance: 62 mi/ 100 km
Breakfast Breakfast
DAY 10: ZURICH.
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
Breakfast Breakfast
Accommodations:
LAUSANNE Novotel Lausanne Bussigny (ST) or Novotel Lausanne Bussigny (ST)
LUCERNE Drei Koenige (ST) or Ibis Styles Luzerne City (ST) or Ibis Styles Luzerne City (ST)
LUGANO Ibis Lugano (TC)
ST.MORITZ Hotel Baeren (ST) or Hotel Baeren (ST)
ZERMATT Best Western Butterfly (ST) or Perren (ST)
ZURICH Novotel Zurich City-West (F) or Züri by Fassbind (F) or Novotel Zurich City-West (F)
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:
Sightseeing:
APPENZELL
See the Old Town
VADUZ
Visit the capital of Liechtenstein
ST. MORITZ
Visit
BERNINA EXPRESS TRAIN
St. Moritz-Tirano
LUGANO
Visit
LAKE MAGGIORE ITALY
Scenic drive
ZERMATT
Visit
GRUYÈRES
Visit the village and a local cheese factory
BERNE
Visit
INTERLAKEN
Visit
LUCERNE
Visit Old Town
Note:
The following UNESCO World Heritage Sites can be seen or visited on this vacation:
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Old City of Berne
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Rhaetian Railway in the Albula / Bernina Landscapes
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Lavaux, Vineyard Terraces
Transportation:
Touring by private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi; Bernina Express train St. Moritz-Tirano; Alpine train Täsch-Zermatt-Täsch.
MEALS
Buffet breakfasts daily; 4 dinners
Indicative Rate (In USD):
Notes:
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Prices based on double room occupancy.
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The seats are subject to availability at the time of confirmation.
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Vacation departures, itineraries and prices are subject to change.
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A non-refundable, non-transferable deposit is required for Cosmos to reserve space for you.
Travel Terms & Conditions:
The purchase of any travel services offered by Cosmos, constitutes a contractual arrangement between you (the Traveler) and Cosmos, and represents your acceptance of the Terms & Conditions. Please ensure that you read carefully and understand the Terms & Conditions prior to booking. These Terms & Conditions cover Deposit & Final Payment information, Air-Inclusive Deposits & Final Payment, Revisions & Revision Fees, Air Arrangements, Participation, Travelers Who Need Special Assistance, Young Travelers, Smoking, Price Policy, Visas and Passports, Hotels & Accommodations, Baggage Allowance, Travel Documents, Not Included in the Land Price, Refunds, Service Inquires After the Vacation, Holidays, Safety, Photos & Pictures, Optional Excursions, and Responsibility.
